Jeweler Faces Grand Larceny in Consumer Diamond Scam

RAPAPORT... In the Buffalo, New York suburb of Williamsville, Amherst Police have charged jeweler Paul Blarr, 47, with three counts of grand larceny and one count of scheme to defraud in connection with selling diamond jewelry without real diamonds.

Authorities reached out to consumers on March 24 urging them to check the authenticity of any diamond they had purchased from Blarr's business, the R.S.N.P. Diamond Exchange on Main Street in the village of Williamsville. According to reports, several police officers were victimized in the scheme.
Local news stations reported that Amherst police also suspect the jeweler may have scammed customers for years.

“We believe he has done this to dozens of people, based on the number of phone calls we’ve gotten,” Amherst Police Captain Enzio Villalta said.

Additionally, workers from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Department allege they were sold what turned out not to be real diamonds. Additional charges could be filed against Blarr due to sales tax issues, according to the police report.